To redshirt or not…

The Eugene Register-Guard’s Bob Clark wrote an interesting story about the plusses and minuses of holding a player out and how Oregon coach Mike Bellotti and Washington coach Tyrone Willingham have gone about their decisions this year.

Willingham and offensive coordinator Tim Lappano seemed to make their decision to keep quarterback Jake Locker on the shelf and preserve the year of eligibility Saturday night against Arizona State, as reported.

Willingham, in his coy way, sort of went back on that Monday, saying he hasn’t made the decision, but “I do feel like it is very important to keep that redshirt for Jake.”

That is about the most decisive statement we’ve heard from Willingham on the subject.

Remember, this is a guy who will update an injury status by saying a player is fine and will practice — unless he gets hurt on the way to practice.

“If you do have an opportunity to update and individual, I think by and large, it is better for them with the tremendous growth they have for them, the college experience, getting their feet on the ground and understanding collegiate football — it’s usually better for them. But in some cases, it’s best for them to play and you put them in,” Willingham said.

On Saturday, Lappano was more definitive.

“With three games left, I think it’d be senseless to play him now. I think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t think it, I know it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

He also said, “”We’ve got Johnny (DuRocher) and Felix (Sweetman, a walk-on) and that’s it right now. That’s what we’re going with.” Lappano was referring to the back-up situation behind starter Carl Bonnell.

Some emailers have asked my opinion about the situation. My thought heading into the Arizona State game was that that was the last straw. If Bonnell went down — and it seemed serious — and the Huskies were still in the game, play Locker and stick with him.

As it turned out, Bonnell did go down. It didn’t appear to be a season-ending injury (and wasn’t), and DuRocher did a good job coming in and making it a game.

As far as I’m concerned, the last straw has been pulled. The Huskies are on the outside looking in at a possible bowl berth. Keep Locker on the bench and use Bonnell and DuRocher to reach the long shot.